As Hawaii transitions out of the holiday season and into the new year, Politics Hawaii with Stan Fichtman was once again featured on KHON 2 News, sharing insights (or mana’o) on the key issues to watch in 2025.
Beyond a single ad or one organization, there’s a broader, ongoing effort to hold the administration accountable—a watchdog that will continue to keep a close eye on the White House. The conflicts that divide this country, from civil rights to indigenous, religious, and federal land issues, won’t simply disappear just because the political landscape shifts.
The 2024 General Election may have seemed like a typical, low-key local affair, but it delivered a few surprises that weren’t exactly on anyone’s radar before November 5.
As Election Day approaches, a new mindset emerges across the country—one of readiness overreaction. From Coos Bay to Washington D.C., voters are shifting their focus from fear of the unknown to strategic preparation for the future. Whichever candidate wins, this blogger saw Americans embracing resilience, getting ready to adapt and thrive in the next chapter of our nation’s story.
Senator Hirono, therefore, is providing a strategic reminder that fierce advocacy can attract resources back home, even if it clashes with the local preference for subtlety. Which, despite our wish that it was not, is a more effective way to get things done in Washington DC.
In the end, Blangiardi’s substantial campaign funds and lack of serious opposition likely contributed to his reelection. Despite not being seen as exceptional, voters felt he was doing enough. This suggests that a combination of adequate performance and a lack of compelling alternatives were key factors in his victory.
In the primary election, Tulba received over 10,000 votes despite a lower turnout compared to the 2020 general election. He had the lowest percentage of blank votes among the three unopposed Honolulu Council members.
Back in December of 2023, co-creator of Politics Hawaii with Stan Fichtman, and this blogger were discussing the upcoming election…
So then, and the premise of this piece, is “So, what if’ Scott Saiki loses to Kim Coco Iwamoto, who is in charge then?” It turns out that the answer is a lot harder to determine than even asking the question.
It is the time when the ballots are being sent out to registered voters. Some acquaintances of this blogger have…